The public tender for the construction of an oil pipeline connecting Serbia and Hungary has been extended, with submissions now due by February 26. Initially set for February 5, this extension follows five amendments aimed at refining the technical documentation associated with the project. The tender is spearheaded by Transnafta, which is responsible for both the construction and professional oversight of the pipeline.
This strategic initiative aims to diversify Serbia’s crude import routes and enhance the reliability of domestic oil supplies. Currently, Serbia depends solely on the Croatian route and the JANAF pipeline system for its crude imports. The new pipeline will establish a northern corridor for deliveries from Hungary, leveraging the Druzhba pipeline that transports Russian crude to various European markets.
The design of the pipeline primarily accommodates Russian Export Blend crude. It will commence near the Horgos border crossing in northern Serbia and conclude at Transnafta’s terminal in Novi Sad. The Serbian segment is anticipated to stretch approximately 113 kilometers underground, with an annual capacity reaching up to 5.5 million tons.
The planned route will pass through several municipalities, including Kanjiza, Senta, Ada, Becej, and Zabalj, following a north-to-south trajectory towards Novi Sad. Preliminary estimates place the value of the Serbian section at around 157 million euros.
In conjunction with the tender process, Transnafta has approached the Ministry of Environmental Protection to ascertain whether a formal environmental impact assessment is necessary. This step indicates that regulatory procedures are advancing alongside procurement efforts, reflecting a coordinated approach to project development.
